MAKING the move: Sean Gregan signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Oldham Athletic on Tuesday.

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LATICSé promotion push has been given the best possible boost by Sean Greganés decision to sign a two-and-a-half year deal at Boundary Park.

The 32-year-old put pen to paper on Tuesday afternoon once terms had been agreed with his representatives.

Gregan had made an immediate impact in his 11-game loan spell from Leeds United, helping the defence to seven clean sheets as the club moved into League Oneés automatic play-off places.

Athletic had beaten off competition from Hull City, Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley and Darlington to land Gregan.

Chief exceutive Alan Hardy said: "Ités a big relief to get it sorted out. It dragged on for too long."

Ironically, Greganés return will see him replace Stefan Stam, the player who had arguably been the clubés best defender until Greganés arrival.

However, Gregan will not be available for Tuesdayés FA Cup replay against Wolves having failed to sign for Latics in time for the first game.

Greganés arrival comes just as Latics face the toughest six weeks of their season so far.

Having beaten Nottingham Forest and then drawn at Wolves in the FA Cup, Athletic visit League leaders Scunthorpe United on Saturday before next Tuesdayés replay with Wolves is followed by home matches against play-off chasers Bristol City and Tranmere Rovers.

Those are followed by a trip to Swansea City, another club seeking a route into the Championship.

Little wonder then that Latics manager John Sheridan is hoping his players have the same attitude he had towards playing in similarly high pressure games.

He said: "Iéve said it before, I used to like playing in big matches and weéve got some big ones coming up.

"Ités good for the players to play in these type of games. Hopefully weéll get some decent crowds because in my eyes, thereés nothing better than playing in big games in front of big crowds."